{
  "id": 16479513,
  "title": "Pune: ‘Hindu Government Silent As Police Seek ₹1 Lakh Deposit For Dhol-Tasha Processions’, Says MNS Leader Sainath Babar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/pune-hindu-government-silent-as-police-seek-1-lakh-deposit-for-dhol",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T13:27:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pune-hindu-government-silent-as-police-seek-1-lakh-deposit-for-dhol-tasha-processions-says-mns-leader-sainath-babar"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pune's MNS leader Sainath Babar has criticized Pune Police for demanding a ₹1 lakh security deposit from public mandals seeking permission to play traditional musical instruments like the dhol-tasha during processions. Babar accused the police of misinterpreting a Bombay High Court order dated October 15, 2021, and called for the state government to intervene to prevent financial burdens on smaller mandals. In a X post, Babar questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' commitment to Hindu festivals, asking where ordinary people could obtain such funds. The Pune Police have reportedly held meetings with mandals ahead of processions, but Babar claims they are now imposing the ₹1 lakh deposit requirement. He visited a police station following complaints and was shown the High Court order, which permits deposits for public or collective events and individual events involving musical instruments, loudspeakers, and similar equipment. However, Babar argues that the court asked the police to consider the amounts rather than imposing the deposits uniformly. Babar highlighted the financial struggles of smaller organizers, stating that many mandals might not even collect ₹1 lakh in contributions, and questioned whether similar deposits would be demanded for other religious and community programs. He urged the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP to raise the issue with the government and provide financial relief to mandals.",
  "summary": "Pune: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sainath Babar has criticised the Pune Police for allegedly making a ₹1 lakh security deposit mandatory for public mandals seeking permission to play dhol-tasha and other traditional musical instruments during processions, questioning the state government's silence over the issue. Babar alleged that the police were misinterpreting a Bombay High Court…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}